Draft:Timen Stiddem
Colonial doctor
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Timen Lulofsson Stidden (c. 1610 – 1686) was a Danish-born Swedish physician, landholder, and communal leader. He is recognized as the first physician to practice in the colony of New Sweden and the first doctor in the history of the state of Delaware[1].
Submission declined on 26 March 2026 by VortexPhantom (talk).
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| Submission declined on 24 March 2026 by VortexPhantom (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by VortexPhantom 5 days ago.
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| Submission declined on 23 March 2026 by EF5 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by EF5 5 days ago.
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Thegatorwayne (talk) 16:47, 23 March 2026 (UTC)
1610
Timen Stidden | |
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| Born | Timen Lulofsson Stiddem 1610 Hammel, Denmark |
| Died | 1686 (aged 75–76) Wilmington, Delaware |
| Other names | Tymen Stidham |
| Occupations | Barber-Surgeon, Landowner |
| Known for | First doctor in the state of Delaware |
Stidden was born in Hammel, Denmark, the son of Luloff Stidden (1587–1639). In the early 1620s, the family moved to Gothenburg, Sweden, where Luloff became a prominent burgher. Luloff was most likely born in the Netherlands, but could have had German origins and was an early member of a German congregation during construction of the German Church in Gothenburg. Timen was raised in Gothenburg and trained as a barber-surgeon.
He would leave for New Sweden in 1638 on his first voyage aboard the Kalmar Nyckel, landing in what is now Wilmington later that year. The colonist would proceed to build Fort Christina, establishing the colony that Stidden would spend the next few years helping building. He would return to Sweden in 1644, having set sail the previous year. He would attempt to return to New Sweden in 1649, but would not make it due to the Wrecking of the Kattan, and the aftermath that followed. After being stranded on an uninhabited island for a few days, the passengers were picked up and taken to San Juan by Spanish Pirates as prisoners. Most passengers were either killed in captivity or died due to starvation, including Stidden's wife and children. After being released by the Spanish, the few that remained attempted to reach a Caribbean island that was under Dutch control, but were captured by French pirates. After being tortured and robbed for what few possessions they had, they were taken to an island under French rule. After being released, Stidden managed to secure passage to Amsterdam before reaching Sweden.
He would set sail one last time in 1654, this time staying in the colony. During his time in Wilmington, he would take the position of doctor, remarry and have several more children, acquire several hundred acres through government given deeds and purchase, and build the cities first mill on the Brandywine Creek. He would act as a local authority, helping to see the city grow under Swedish, Dutch and English rule. He was a founding member of the Crane Hook Church congregation that would later build the Holy Trinity Church. In 1683, Stidden and his sons would swear allegiance to England in-front of William Penn, and continue serving the colony until his death in 1686.
- "Tymen Stidham: The First Doctor of New Sweden". Delaware Historical Society. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
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